DMK targets Congress in Karnataka over Cauvery issue

Chennai | A day after accusing BJP of raking up the Cauvery issue for electoral gains in Karnataka, DMK on Tuesday made a similar charge against the ruling Congress in the neighbouring state.

Referring to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah’s insistence on building a dam across Cauvery river at Mekedatu, DMK President M Karunanidhi said both Congress and BJP were doing such things with an eye on the 2018 Assembly elections.

While the Mekedatu project was initially proposed to address the drinking water needs of Bengaluru, “Chief Minister Siddaramiah now says there are plans to produce 400 MW of power also,” he said.

“Congress and BJP have already started fighting to win the elections and Congress’ present activities are only a part of that,” he said in a statement.

Criticising the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre on the issue of constituting the Cauvery Management Board, Karunanidhi said it had not acted in Tamil Nadu’s favour in this matter, adding “How can it be expected to act fairly on the Mekedatu” issue.

The Centre has come under widespread criticism in Tamil Nadu after it sought modification of a Supreme Court directive on constitution of the CMB.